Exercises for Improved Balance & Performance of your Ankles

It does not matter if you are a fitness enthusiast or someone looking to improve your ankle health. Strong and stable ankles are essential for maintaining proper balance, preventing injuries, and supporting your lower body movements. In this blog, we’ll explain the best ankle-strengthening exercises.

What You Need To Know:

Why strong ankles matter: Importance of ankle stability
What you need to know about ankle-strengthening exercises
The benefits of ankle strengthening exercises
Ankle strengthening exercises and stretches
The risks of having weak ankle stability
Tips for practical ankle strengthening training

Why strong ankles matter: Importance of ankle stability

The ankle is a joint with bones, ligaments and tendons that enable foot movements and carry the weight of our bodies. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen and stabilize the ankle for overall balance and functional performance.

What do you need to know about ankle-strengthening exercises?

Ankle strength importance

Your ankles bear the weight of your body and are responsible for transmitting forces during various activities, such as walking, running, jumping, and changing directions. When the muscles and ligaments surrounding the ankle joint weaken, the risk of sprains and other ankle-related injuries increases significantly.

Incorporate ankle-strengthening exercises into your fitness routine to strengthen your ankles and enhance your performance in various physical activities. However, ankle-strengthening exercises benefit you only when you practise them at least two to three times per week. Start with two sets of 10 repetitions for each exercise and gradually increase the number of sets as your ankle strength improves.

The benefits of ankle strengthening exercises

Here are the benefits of practising ankle exercises daily:

Prevents injuries

Strong ankles enhance the muscles surrounding your ankle. After straightening your muscles, they develop the necessary strength to withstand sudden movements.

Bone density

Ankle-strengthening exercises involving ankle weights benefit bone density and promote the growth of new bone tissues.

More Flexibility

Daily exercise can help reduce stiffness and enhance joint flexibility, enabling smoother movements and reducing strain.

4 Ankle strengthening exercises and stretches

Here are some of the best ankle-strengthening exercises you can practise daily to boost your ankle health!

Towel stretch

Towel Stretch - Ankle strengthening exercises

A beneficial exercise for improving flexibility and relieving tightness in the lower ankles and legs.

Simply sit on the floor and take a towel around the ball of your ankle.
Then, gently pull the towel towards you to stretch your calf muscles and Achilles tendon.
Repeat it 3 times and increase reps gradually.

Calf raise

Calf raise - Ankle strengthening exercises

This is one of the most effective exercises to strengthen both calf and ankle muscles.

Start by standing with your feet apart.
Rise onto your toes, and then lower back down.

Full weight-bearing single-leg stance

A full-weight-bearing single-leg stance can help you improve your ankle weight tolerance. In addition, ankle weight helps injured legs regain strength.

Start by standing on your weak foot and lift the other foot.
Stay in the position for 15 minutes.
Return to your initial position and repeat this 10 times for stronger ankles!

Toe pull

Toe pull - Ankle strengthening exercises

This exercise helps strengthen the muscles in your legs and ankles.

Start by sitting on a chair with a leg above the ground in a straight position.
Point your toes backward.
Stay in the position for 10 seconds.
Gently release the toes and relax your leg.
Repeat with the other leg.

The risks of having weak ankle stability

Here are the most common health risks you should watch out for if you have weak ankles.

Tight ankles: Tight ankles can impact your flexibility. Stiff ankles can also cause difficulty in walking.

Weak ankles: A frail ankle can make you more prone to sprains and other injuries.

Consider exercising at least three times a week to strengthen your ankles and avoid injuries. Start working on those ankles and take a confident step towards a stronger, more stable you!

Tips for practical ankle strengthening training

Here are some tips for doing practical ankle-strengthening exercises:

Be consistent

Incorporate ankle exercises into your fitness routine to see improvements. Aim for a few times a week, focusing on gradual progression.

Warm-up

Always start with a warm-up to increase blood flow to your ankles and reduce the risk of injury. Gentle stretches and light movement can help prepare your ankles for exercise.

Mix it up

Vary your exercises to target the ankles from different angles and promote all-round strength and stability. This approach helps prevent injuries and improves overall ankle function.

Listen to your body

Pay attention to any signs of discomfort or pain in your ankles. If pain occurs, modify or stop the exercise and seek advice if it persists.

Consider exercising at least three times a week to strengthen your ankles and avoid injuries. Start working on those ankles and take a confident step towards a stronger, more stable you.

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